I am a sucker for a good deal, so I thought I’d begin sharing my favorite deals with y’all!

This week the deal comes from my hunt for a dining room set for my new apartment. This find was discovered at Wal-Mart!

The Find:

Better Homes and Gardens Maddox Crossing Dining Table and Chairs.

The Deal’s Details:

The Maddox Crossing Dining Table and Chairs are a simple, yet elegant set that will fit into any interior design style. The table features a strong center support beam with crossed legs and is made of solid wood. It is made to seat up to 6 but looks just fine with 4 chairs also. The chairs feature an eye catching X design on the backing with a faux leather seat. Here are the dimensions of the table I pulled from the Wal-Mart.com, 58.5″L x 35.5″W x 30″H (148.59 cm x 90.17 cm x 76.2 cm).

The purchase price at my local Wal-mart for the table was only $85 and $40 for a set of 2 chairs!

My Opinion:

I am in love with this dining set! I purchased the table and 6 chairs for just $205! It was a steal! The dining set makes a beautiful addition to the farmhouse style I plan on using in my apartment. This dining set is so versatile that it could fit with any style. From elegant, to modern, to french country, there’s not any design style these table and chairs will not fit!

To purchase these beauties I suggest contacting your local Wal-mart and seeing if they have it in stock! If you can’t wait you can order the table here and the chairs here!

This table and 6 chairs was a steal at only $205! I hope you enjoy this Deal of the Week!

I’m so happy to be back at this thing, but its time to get real. I’ve missed blogging and I’m so ready to be back in the game! I am not going to lie, I’ve had some major changes take place in my life over the past few months. I’ve struggled with recently diagnosed health problems, an increasing workload at my day job, and I’m finally making the grown up choice to move out on my own!

I’ve got so much coming to the blog and I’m ready to share my heart with y’all.

Blessed Lonestar Mess is a lifestyle blog for women with real lives full of every day messes!

What do I mean by that? Great question!

My intention for this blog is to be a safe space for women to come, be real, and feel like they don’t have to put up the mask that society tries to force us to wear. Our lives aren’t perfect, and I refuse to ever pretend mine is perfect! Our messes, our imperfections, they are what make our lives interesting and different from every other woman on the planet.

So if by societies standards you are too skinny, too big, too loud, or too shy, if you have mental health issues, or if you have physical ailments, or your life is just a real mess sometimes I want you to know you will never be judged here!

Come as you are and let me love y’all, that’s all I ask!

I can’t wait to share with y’all my stories from my everyday life, my favorite recipes, favorite products and places to shop, and anything the good Lord lays on my heart!

Y’all know I am a thrifty girl, but y’all also know I don’t mind spending a little more when its something beautiful and something that I really want. Well, JORD sent me this beautiful wood watch to review and I can’t tell you enough amazing things about this beautiful piece. It is definetly a unique watch and would be a perfect women’s watch or men’s watch. If you have a watch fetish or know a watch lover this would be the perfect gift for yourself or them!

The Specifics

JORD sent me the Frankie in zebra wood and navy, you can check it out here, and woah is it beautiful! It has a cost of $189 It has a sapphire crystal glass face and a deployment buckle with push buttons. It’s streamlined and simple so it’s a perfect unisex timepiece. I can wear this beautifully and my step-father can wear it too. Each watch comes with a 1 year warranty and packaged in a beautiful solid wood case.

The Verdict

I think this will make the perfect Christmas gift for my step-father since he has a watch obsession. Shhhh, though because he doesn’t know this is his! Thankfully he doesn’t read my blog so I can share that. I would have easily purchased this for him for Christmas on my own due to his love of watches and the value of the product. You definetly get what you pay for! It is a wonderful luxury watch that will go with anything due to it’s simpleness and color scheme. It isn’t heavy but is tight enough to not fall off. A JORD wood watch would make the perfect Christmas or anniversary gift. Any watch lover, fashionista, or lover of fine things would love to receive a JORD Watch! Or you know, you could keep it for yourself, I wouldn’t judge!

Giveaway!

JORD has been kind enough to provide one of my lucky readers with a $75 voucher! Plus, everyone who enters will recieve a $20 voucher too, isn’t that awesome!

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.And do everything with love.

Everywhere you look online it’s not hard to find someone tearing down another person or spewing hate because of differing beliefs. When I see this I can’t help but think, Where is the love? So when I was presented with the opportunity to participate in the #BeTheLightChallenge I was so excited! So today, Day 5, I want to share with you why you should and how you can share the love of Christ online!

Why Show Love?

First the why. It’s because God tells us too! God tells us over and over again to share love with EVERYONE around us. To love our family, but to also love our friends, our coworkers, and yes, even our enemies.

Luke 6:27-31 says it best “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back.Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

Those are words from the mouth of Christ himself. Christian’s are to be known by their actions, by how they love.

How to Show Love Online

When you see someone being hateful or mean to you online, respond with love. If you see someone being torn down online, let that person know they are loved without bringing down the original attacker. I’ve been the victim of an online bully and it’s no fun. Please step in and show love to all parties when you see this happening. Sometimes the attacker will not respond well. Your job is to show them love and if they reject it not be mean, just move on!

A great way to show love is to post positive life giving words on social media. Facebook feeds and twitter feeds can be filled with negativity. Why not break that up by posting something good, like a scripture or a worship song you enjoy? Posting positive life giving things will help encourage those who see them and may cause them to have a better day! Be the reason someone has a good day and not a bad one!

Pray

Pray for those who are posting the negativity online. Prayer is our most powerful tool as Christians. It is our direct line to God and can cause mountains to move. So why can’t prayer change the hearts of people? It can! So pray for them to see the light, for their days to be filled with joy, and for them to know the love of the Father! Pray for those who are being attacked and for peace to surround them and for them to know their worth in Christ. Prayer can change the heart of a wicked man into a heart of a powerful Christian. Trust in the power of prayer.

I challenge you to show love online this week. Step in when you see someone hurting. Post something to brighten someones day. Most of all, Pray for hearts to be changed. including yours!

Devotional

I’ve created a short 3 day devotional for you to use as a guide to praying for those around you. I hope it encourages you to pray and seek to be a light for Christ.

I hope you’ve been encouraged by the posts from my fellow bloggers this week! Here is a schedule of all the posts in case you’ve missed the first few days. Make sure to visit the other blogs in the days to come!

I’m going to close with Colossians 3:12-14, 17, as these verses are a great reminder to be covered in love and exude it in all that we do!

Colossians 3:12-14,17 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

One of my favorite songs right now is The God I Know by Love & The Outcome. This song speaks to my heart with the heartfelt honest lyrics that it has. The song talks about how God isn’t some big guy in the sky writing down every mistake we make, but how He is all love all around us showing us continuous mercy. He doesn’t want us wallowing in doubt and trying to be good enough. He wants us to rest in His truth and worship Him no matter where we are.

Doubt is something I’ve struggled with and I know many people have struggled with it. I want to encourage you and show you some things that have helped me conquer those doubts, so maybe they can help you too!

Breaking Up With Doubt

1. Pray

I know, I know. You’ve heard this before but it doesn’t seem to work. I promise you, with that attitude it will be hard to see results. You will be seeing things so negatively that the answered prayer will come and go without you realizing it. Our prayers are not always answered the way we think they should be, but they are always answered. The Word of God says that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We have to trust that He knows what we need. When we question or doubt something we have to take those questions and doubts to God. He knows far more than we do and can handle even your biggest scariest doubts. He can even handle it if you doubt His existence. Pray, ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Then watch how powerfully He shows up!

2. The Word

If you have doubt take them to the Word of God. The Bible is filled with information that will answer any question! There are some things that aren’t straightforward, but those are things God says we don’t need to know. Knowing everything would hinder us from doing all He has for us to do. Psalm 119: 105 says Your word is a lamp to guide my feetand a light for my path. This means that scripture can guide us even in the darkest of times even when the doubts block out most of the light of God. Romans 15:4 tells us “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” Scripture is given to lead us, to keep us encouraged, and hopeful even in the midst of doubts.

Gods word can help you conquer anything in your path!

3. Seek Wise Counsel

You may think others don’t know what you’re going through, but I promise you, someone has been there. Seeking counsel from someone who has a faith you respect will give you fresh insight on your doubt. The insight they share from defeating doubts will help you conquer doubt in your life. We weren’t created to do life alone, so make sure you have friends and elders in your life that you can take your doubts to. I have a few friends I can take my doubts to who will give me biblical answers. Sometimes though I need wisdom that they can’t offer me, that’s when I seek out a mentor who can speak into my life. I have a few trusted mature Christians I look up to and have been in the faith a lot longer than I have. They speak into my life and show me things I wouldn’t see on my own. I promise you, find someone who can speak into your life and you won’t regret it!

Throw Your Hands Up and Your Worries Down

Worship.

No matter the doubts you may be struggling with I challenge you to worship Christ. Sing songs, read scripture, thank Him in prayer. Expect answers and you will receive them.

1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

Why not start with singing this song in worship to our Lord?

Do you have a favorite worship song?

Here is a link to some of Love & The Outcome’s other music, maybe you can find a new favorite!

Have you logged onto Facebook lately? How about Twitter, or any social media for that matter? If you have then I’m sure you’ve seen the massive amount of hate and rudeness that is going around. There seems to be no light. You can’t log onto social media without seeing someone calling a friend a bad name because they don’t support the same candidate. This election season is unlike any I’ve ever seen. My first presidential election to vote and it’s turned into a circus of mean people! This type of rude and hateful behavior has been happening online long before the election season too.

Aren’t you sick of it?

Thats where the Be The Light Challenge steps in. Myself and 7 other bloggers are taking the challenge to be God’s light and love online. We’re throwing out the opportunity to join to you too!

Beginning November 1st, each day one blogger will share a post to encourage you and help you learn new ways to shine the light of Christ online. Some of the bloggers are sharing free printables and other goodies. So make sure to stop by and visit each bloggers site!

Lets take this time to use social media for good instead of bad. To lead people to Jesus and not shame and throw hate at them.

It’s Time to be a Light

Proverbs 29:8-9 say “Scorners set a city aflame, But wise men turn away anger. When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.”

We need to learn not to engage in the hateful conversations but to shine love and joy into the lives of those who are full of pain and anger.

Also, Salvage Sister & Mister will have a contract you can sign on the first day to sign yourself up to follow along and participate in this challenge for being a light for Christ online!

Make sure to use #BeTheLightChallenge in your posts on social media so that we can follow along with all the good positive posts you’re sharing!

I paid for this box.This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

I have a book collection totaling almost 1,000 books.

Classics make up a sizable portion of that.

Jane Austen is one of the best when it comes to classics! She knew how to write so eloquently and tell a story that grabbed your attention from the beginning! That’s why when Lit Cube announced they were having a Special edition Jane Austen Lit-Cube I had to get it. Lit-Cube does special edition boxes every few months. They are priced a little higher than the regular subscription at $45.99 + s/h, and they are purchased in addition to the subscription. So if you want a special edition Lit-Cube make sure you place an order for it! There was no price list included in this box, so all prices are estimates.

The Goods

This book is based on Pride and Prejudice and is presented through the eyes of the main character Lizzie Bennet. I don’t want to spoil the book too much, but it seems like a super interesting read. Lizzie and her sister become internet stars over night and are eventually approached by Bing Lee and his friend William Darcy. So much happens in the life of Lizzie Bennet that isn’t shown to the camera which means the readers get to feel as if they are partaking in secrets. There are plenty of twists to keep even the biggest Pride and Prejudice fan entertained!

Wax Melts- $5?

Oh My Word! I wish computers had a smell option! This wax smells so good you could eat it. It smells like sweet candy, almost like taffy! I have never received a product like this in a subscription box, so it was a neat surprise. I have a wax burner so this will be wafting through my house for awhile! Some people don’t own a wax burner though. I feel for them, because this stuff smells so good! I would suggest getting an old pan you don’t care about and melting it on the stove. It should give you the same effect. However, don’t leave the house unattended while doing this!

Jane Austen Journals- $10? & $5?

These journals are so cute! They fit in with the theme of the book since it’s written in a diary format. The large one has a mock cover of Pride and Prejudice and the small one has a famous quote from Jane Austen, ” There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart”.

Jane Austen Quote Mug- $10?

This mug has the quote “Know your own happiness” on it. It is a sweet quote and so true. We really need to know our own happiness, to know our why. It makes life so much easier. Something else that makes life easier is coffee and tea. Something that will go perfect in this cute mug!

Jane Austen Plushies- $10?

Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy! These are so cute! Lit-Cube had these specially made just for this box. They are Lit-Cube exclusives and can’t be found anywhere else. I’ve never gotten a plushie in a subscription box before and these are super cute for my first ones! They will make the perfect addition to my bookcase!

Conclusion

This box had a value of about $55, that’s more than the cost of the box! I felt the value was there in this box because I’m a lover of classics. If you aren’t than you may not enjoy this box as much, but that’s why it’s a specialty box. I really enjoyed the special edition Lit-Cube and will probably be ordering another one in the future! Lit-Cube proves once again why they are one of my favorite boxes! Lit-Cube does not have a referral system at the moment but you can visit Lit-cube.com and use code MSA10 for 10% off your first box!

Proverbs 27:17 NLT As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

I went through a season after high school without any friends. I mean zero. Zilch. Nada.

It’s hard to wake up each day and know you have no real friends to talk to.

I went through a terrible situation in high school; that situation lead to me having to be withdrawn from school for the sake of my mental health and safety. However after that terrible time I was left with no friends and in a terrible depression. Fast forward to three years ago when I found my way back to Christ. Well, to be more honest, to when Christ knocked me over the head with His love and dragged me back into His presence.

Loneliness when serving Christ

At this point I had a few friends but only one friend who I was close to. This had to do a little with my introverted tendencies and a more to do with not knowing anyone who was on the path of serving Christ like I was. Serving God can be really hard when you are on that path alone with no friends your age. I was under the influence that there were almost no millennials who truly followed Christ. I found my way to a church through a friend who had been attending it. Attending that church opened my eyes, wide!

Church Doesn’t Mean Boring

I was made aware of the fact that church didn’t have to be boring and stuffy. That you could hear truth preached while still having fun and enjoying yourself. That serving God didn’t mean no fun but it meant the right kind of fun that didn’t lead to regrets! I also found out that there are millennials that serve God. Well over a hundred of them meeting in one church during the middle of the week, to be exact! From there I was able to realize there are actually many millennials around the world who serve God, we just don’t see or hear about it as often because the media is very biased. I’m so blessed I found that church, for many reasons.

The Best Gifts In Life Are Friends

Proverbs 18:24 NLTThere are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

One of those reasons is I found a best friend.

When I truly started living out my faith again I started praying for a true friend.

For a best friend who would build me up in the faith and just have fun with me.

I found that in Taylor.

God answered a major prayer when He sent Taylor into my life. He knew what I needed and she was it. Taylor has quickly come to be one of the few people I trust with all my secrets. She’s the one I know I can go to when I’m struggling and the one who can always find a way to make me smile. She has given me such hope and a more joyful outlook on life and I am blessed to call her my friend. I am better for knowing her.

Then because God likes to be unreasonably kind to people who don’t deserve it, He blessed me with a second best friend, Jordan.

Jordan had actually been in my life once before. Circumstances in life had drawn us apart but God somehow managed to bring us both back into a loving relationship with Him around the same time. Our relationship is unique since we have both been growing in Christ for a similar amount of time. We end up having questions about similar things and can help each other to find the truth in Christ. Jordan has become a confidant and a friend who is always down to go have some good God honoring fun! She is always there for me and I couldn’t be more thankful to have her in my life.

The Power of Friendship

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

My life has changed so drastically since having the friendship of these two girls in my life. I have even been blessed with many other dear friendships that have helped me grow in so many different areas. My loneliness has disappeared and my depression I was in for years got much better! The old me would have never dreamed the happiness and joy I have now was possible. Its all thanks to God and the beautiful people He has placed in my life.

Godly Friendship is Powerful

Godly friendship is something we all need. If we don’t have friends who are serving The Lord when the road gets hard and we fall, we don’t have the encouragement of others here to help lift us up. While God is all powerful and all good, as human beings He created us to have relationships. Without friendships we will be lonely, without Godly friendships we will fall into sin that will be very hard to come out of. Friendship is powerful, but a friendship with a Godly person is even more powerful.

A friendship with a Godly person involves three, and a three strand cord is not easily broken!

I hope you have a Taylor and Jordan in your life.

If you don’t, pray for one or even two or three! I would be privileged to pray for you too!

It’s hard to walk this road of life alone, but the power of friendship makes the road much easier!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

So a little fact about me!

Before I started working in the financial field as an accountant, I worked as a licensed cosmetologist!

I still have my license and do my mother’s hair when she needs it done. I keep it for a few reasons, mainly as a back up career and for the discount on salon quality hair products!

However, I can’t always make it to the hair supply store since their hours are mainly while I’m at work. So I have had to find other products that work that won’t break my budget! I decided I should share them with y’all, cause we all love money saving products that work as good as the pricey stuff! I’m all about saving money when I can!

The Products

Miracle 7 Keratin Leave-in Mist $14

I found this leave in mist at Sally’s Beauty Supply when I was looking for something to help my hair not feel so damaged. I bleach my hair so it doesn’t have the best texture. This mist provides 7 different benefits. Miracle 7 lightly conditions hair, infuses hydration, restores hair’s keratin, prevents split ends, de-tangles, eliminates frizz, and provides thermal protection. It leaves my hair feeling soft, looking smooth, and smelling terrific without leaving a greasy look to my hair. You can purchase Miracle 7 Keratin Leave In Mist here on Amazon.

Not Your Mother’s Smooth Moves Frizz Control Hair Cream $7.75

This whole line of products is amazing! If you haven’t tried it then you should find some of the products and use them. This product in particular works wonders. It also lasts me a long time because you only need to use a tiny bit of product if you have fine hair. It has a creamy texture and doesn’t leave my hands feeling sticky like some hair creams. This cream uses coconut and silk extracts to straighten, de-frizz, and add shine. I have found these products every where from Walmart to Ulta, but you can alsopurchase it from Amazon here!

Ion Volumizing Freezing Spray $10

Living in Texas my whole life has taught me many things, one of them being big hair is a must! To get big hair that stays you must use a strong hairspray. Many strong hairsprays out there will leave you with hair that is crunchy or sticky. This was another Sally’s Beauty Supply find. It is 100% vegan and paraben free. It leaves my hair feeling stiff yet not crunchy or sticky. I know my hair isn’t going to be messed up by those crazy Texas winds but it doesn’t look like a helmet on my head either. It adds volume that lasts all day for a price that makes your wallet happy! If you would like to buy it onlineyou can do so at Amazon here!

Bonus Product!

I couldn’t create a list of my top beauty products without throwing out a referral for my favorite budget friendly deep conditioner! It’s in my top three for deep conditioners no matter the price point. This conditioner uses Shea butter, peppermint, keratin, and castor oil to help repair your hair. This conditioner is sulfate free, something that is hard to find outside of salon brands, and is safe for color treated hair. Every time I use this conditioner my hair is left feeling like silk and smelling deliciously amazing! This brand is really great and I can’t say enough good things about it. They even have commercials for equality among women. That we shouldn’t be judged by our hair, there is no such thing as normal hair just hair. You can find this line of products at Target, Ulta, and select other stores. You can find it on Amazon in a duo with the shampoo here!

Me and my mother have a special bond when it comes to bread pudding. We both will choose bread pudding over any dessert when it is an option. So I thought it best for the first recipe I share to be for bread pudding, and on national dessert date none the less!

This recipe is one of my favorites as the simple vanilla and almond flavors make it full of flavor yet not overpowering to the point that it over takes the rest of the dessert. I love the easiness of making it and the great satisfaction that comes from eating it. Maybe that’s just my sweet tooth talking though!

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About Me

Hey y'all, I'm Desiree!
I am saved by grace through faith
and blessed to live in the great state of Texas.
I have a passion for trying new things, DIY, and encouraging others to be themselves! Come join the fun, and Welcome to Blessed Lonestar Mess!
♥,